Johannesburg’s vibrant artist, Ludo BU, epitomizes a fusion of creativity, ambition, and a profound connection with people through his artistry. From KwaZulu-Natal beginnings to roles in sales and management, and eventually as a UX Design Researcher, Ludo BU’s journey reflects his diverse talents. His repertoire spans dancing, singing, poetry, rapping, beatboxing, drawing, and more, with music becoming a focal point after a pivotal role in DJ AJ and Buhle Samuel’s “Thanda Wena” music video.

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Recent years have seen Ludo BU’s presence in adverts like “Suzuki S presso,” roles in series like “Entangled,” and even a featured part in a Netflix movie, “Happiness Ever After.” His standout performance on “Big Brother Mzansi 2022” endeared him to South African audiences, showcasing his acting, dance, and lyrical skills. As Ludo BU’s career continues its upward trajectory, he remains committed to sharing his diverse talents, ever-evolving, and embracing the vast opportunities ahead.

We had a chat with Ludo BU whose journey reflects a mosaic of creativity, ambition, and an innate ability to captivate through his various artistic expressions.

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Your journey from your hometown in KZN to becoming a musical and TV sensation across South Africa is inspiring. How has your upbringing and diverse experiences shaped your music?

[LUDO BU]: I believe everything shapes my music, even subconsciously. The influence I take on a day-to-day basis is intense, I am very spiritual so I connect to everything and anything. So I learn lessons from the small things and big things or situations.

Breaking into the music scene with a song titiled ‘The Packager’ ft Size Alakine. How do you navigate maintaining your authenticity while also evolving as an artist?

[LUDO BU]: I don’t have a blueprint but one thing I do confidently and effortlessly is trust in myself. I have spent enough time with myself to know myself, I let that take over and I trust it.

How do you feel this song ‘Adulting 2’ has contributed to your musical identity?

[LUDO BU]: In a great way. It has allowed me to experiment and explore and will lead to growth. Tapping into amapiano was not for clout or the money, it is to simply learn and grow.

From your EP to your latest single, ‘ADULTING 2,’ could you highlight the themes you focus on and the messages embedded in your music?

[LUDO BU]: TJ (first nickname from primary school) is an old alter ego, so my first EP ‘Kill TJ’ was a rebrand, and kind of putting TJ to rest, letting the past be the past but also understanding why the past was as it is. The title was inspired by the movie ‘Kill Bill’. With ‘Adulting’ I am taking different shapes, sizes, and forms and learning and stretching myself as much as possible while enjoying the journey. The theme is staying true to my journey.

You have had successful roles on the big screen from Ayeye:Stripped, to Adulting both on Showmax. How do you see these two worlds (music and acting) intersecting in your life moving forward?

[LUDO BU]: Going forward for me is about doing what I’m already doing on a bigger scale. If I drop Amapiano today, tomorrow I have to drop an ever bigger song. I have to see something different in what I do for myself.

Your dual path in Acting and Music is fascinating. How do you balance these two seemingly different yet equally demanding careers?

[LUDO BU]: I don’t think they are too different, they are both art. You cant have one and not tap into the other. I try to be true to what I am trying to create at that time, I hone in on what my purpose is in that moment.

Signing with Ingrooves Africa was a pivotal moment. How has this collaboration influenced your growth as a musician?

[LUDO BU]: Every single person I work with adds something to my career. Meeting people there have been great I also met my current manager via Ingrooves. They play a good role as a distributor and I am grateful to the people I met.

As you continue to achieve remarkable milestones, what exciting projects or aspirations can fans anticipate from you in the near future?

[LUDO BU]: More of what I am doing! I am trying to surpass my expectations and limits of myself. I want to learn and know everything about what I currently doing and perfect that because that is the only way to go.

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Featured Image Source(s): Supplied